The D2Z Podcast Brandon Amoroso

I am joined this week by David Conforti, co-founder and CEO of the Varfaj Group. Together, we trace Varfaj's journey from its inception at NYU to its present-day management of large-scale projects on the Shopify Plus platform. We also shine a light on the stark digital divide between small businesses and legacy enterprises, and discuss how this gap can be bridged using the right balance of compliance and innovation.

We zoom into the human element of business, by evaluating the role of project/client success managers in our organizations. The shift from a traditional hierarchical structure to a more fluid pod structure, the necessary blend of senior and junior talent, and possible pitfalls in the hiring process are all discussed in detail.

Finally, we dive into the world of working capital. David Conforti and I reflect on the merits and demerits of traditional hiring methods versus leveraging existing networks, and why a trial period before full-time offers could prove beneficial. We also discuss the importance of swift cash conversion for sustained growth. 

Carter Snyder of the Sasha Group helps us traverse the evolving landscape of media consumption and advertising. We discuss how the giants of digital platforms - like Walmart and Amazon, and dominant streaming services - are molding the way we consume media. From the rise of social media apps like TikTok, challenging Facebook's reign, to the diversion from linear TV to streaming, we examine these seismic shifts, and also share our personal experiences and the benefits of career adaptability in this fast-paced world.

Carter and I delve into how TikTok is shaking up Google search, exploring the paradigm shift in information consumption. We discuss the significance of discovering your niche, the power of authenticity, and the crucial understanding of media mix across channels. Balancing the delicate act of collaborating with existing teams while strategizing with client's budget, business objectives, and data in mind is also on our conversation menu.

We also dive into the art of managing teams and building brands and on striking the right balance between learning for growth and accommodating various working styles. We share insights on providing guidance without overwhelming team members and handling situations when performance doesn't meet expectations.

I'm with speaking with Matt Goodman, the co-founder and CEO of Okendo. Matt walks us through Okendo's suite of solutions explicitly designed to combat the rising cost of customer acquisition by creating super fans for your brand. From reviews to quizzes, referrals to loyalty programs, Okendo's comprehensive stack guarantees to deliver high-quality, actionable data that brands can use to thrive in the digital landscape.

Matt chats up the upcoming Okendo World Tour Roadshow, where brands worldwide will share their customer marketing strategies, an invaluable resource for those looking to learn from the best. 

Whether you're a brand seeking to reduce your dependence on social media platforms for customer acquisition or are curious about how Okendo is helping brands maximize their customers' value, this episode is packed with insights!

Talking with marketing and communications advisor Mark Havenner who has worked with DRINKS and Electriq on thought leadership programs and who has worked on the production of Brandon's upcoming book "Think Z."  We talk about the world of business, fueled by the tenacity and resilience of the youngest generation of leaders. We take you through our journey, peppered with lessons learned and aha moments, as we highlight the significant role of customer retention and the value of deep-rooted relationships in a business's success path.

We discuss the imminent launch of the "Think Z" book, which explores the immense power of the Gen Z mindset in business, what is uncovered in the book, highlights, and the journey of writing it.

Jonathan Snow, with the Snow Agency, takes us on his entrepreneurial journey. Drawing on his own experiences he built an affiliate marketing platform and launched a Shopify holding company, which later transformed into a cutting-edge performance marketing agency. This is a rare chance to glean practical insights from his experiences and learn how to strike the perfect balance between work and life.

What does a modern-day agency look like? Jon discusses how public relations and paid media can synergize to create compelling narratives and the importance of scaling out these narratives to ensure they reach the right audience at the right time.  

We also discuss the exciting realm of AI, as we explore how it is revolutionizing the alcohol industry. We discuss the pioneering work of the team at Electriq and DRINKS and how they are elevating their online sales process. 

Today I'm with co-founder of Postpilot, Michael Epstein and we unpack his journey from revamping an e-commerce brand to transforming direct mail for the new era. Michael reveals insider secrets on the role of Postpilot in making direct mail more efficient, automated, and user-friendly, and how it has changed the game for digitally native brands.

Michael shares insights on these two technologies that are helping to convert potential customers and the nitty-gritty of lookalike modeling. We also peek into the future of Postpilot, discussing Klaviyo integrations, potential Shopify admin blocks, and the exciting plans Michael has for the second half of the year.

I also pick his brain on data security, the importance of understanding customer pain points, and building an effective SaaS team. Plus, he lets us in on his experience in transitioning from the SaaS and agency world to the brand side, and the successful retention programs for D2C brands.